Support



March 27, 1934. A, GAFFORD 1,952,494

SUPPORT Filed Dec. 29, 1932 Ill ' INVENTOR. Gewye di /wand 64/75/221ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 27, 1934 SUPPORT George Armand Gafiord,Cleveland, Ohio Application December 29, 1932, Serial No. 649,349

3 Claims.

This invention relates, as indicated, to a support, more particularly anextensible support for trays, platters and the like.

Important objects of the invention are to pro- 5 vide a device of thischaracter which is especially adapted to support hot trays, platters andthe like in heat insulating relation to a table or other support; whichis exensible to provide a support of variable area for supporting largetrays or platters or a plurality of small plates; which is contractibleinto a small area when not in use; which is of simple, but ruggedconstruction, and which is highly efiicient for the purposes for whichit is intended to be used. To the accomplishment of the foregoing andrelated ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafterfully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the support when substantially completelyextended; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the support shown inFig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the support when substantiallycompletely contracted; Fig. 4 is a crosssectional view, taken on theline 44 of Fig. 1, and showing on an enlarged scale one of the jointsbetween the members at which one of the supporting studs is secured; andFig. 5 is a crosssectional view, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1, andshowing on an enlarged scale one of the other joints between themembers. Referring more particularly to the drawing, it will be seenthat the support comprises a number of bars assembled and interconnectedin compound lazytong arrangement, and capable of being extended for useas shown in Fig. 1 or contracted into relatively small space when not inuse, as shown in Fig. 3. 4s One of the lazytongs, designated generallyby reference character A, consists of pairs of short bars 1 and longerbars 2 which are pivoted together at the middle and hinged to oneanother at the ends by means of vertically extending studs 3. The otherlazytongs, designated generally by reference character B, consists ofpairs of bars 4, pivoted together at the middle by means of verticallyextending rivets or pins 5 and hinged to one another at the ends bymeans of vertically extending studs 6, which are similar in all respectsto the studs 3. The lazytongs A and B are interconnected by means ofvertically extending rivets or pins 7 which are similar in all respectsto the rivets 5. The studs 3 and 5 constitute legs for supporting thedevice in a horizontal position on 0 i a table or other support and inspaced relation thereto. If desired, the studs may be provided with tips8 of rubber or other heat insulating material.

With the device in expanded condition, as in Fig. 1, hot trays, plattersand the like may be positioned on the device without danger of scorchingor burning the table top or other support on which the device ispositioned. Such scorching or burning is effectively prevented by theair between the bottom of the tray or platter and the table top or othersupport, such air constituting an excellent heat insulator and retardingthe cooling of the contents of the tray or platter.

Owing to the relatively large open areas between the bars, when thesupport is in expanded condition, the area of contact between the hottray or platter and these members is reduced to a minimum, and only aslight amount of heat will therefore be transmitted to these members byconduction. Consequently, very little heat reaches the studs so thatthere is little likelihood of scorching or burning of the table top bythese studs. The rubber tips 8 not only pre vent marring of the tabletop, but also prevent transfer of any heat in the studs to the tabletop.

The device is simple and rugged in construction, and, when fullycontracted, occupies very little space. When made of plated bars or"steel or brass, it presents a pleasing and attractive appearance.

A particular advantage of the device is its extensibility to provide ahorizontal support of variable area. This feature enables the device tobe properly supported on table tops of various dimensions and shapes andmakes it adaptable for trays or platters of various sizes or for aplurality of small platesor the like.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention.

1. A support of the character described comprising a pair of lazytongs;one of said lazytongs consisting of pairs of pivotally connected endlid.

bars and pairs of pivotally connected intermediate bars, saidintermediate bars being of greater length than the end bars and beingpivotally connected thereto, and the other of said lazytongs consistingof pairs of pivotally connected bars of the same length as the saidintermediate bars and being pivotally connected. intermediate their endsto said intermediate bars at points intermediate the ends of the latter.

2. A support of the character described comprising a pair of lazytongs;one of said lazytongs consisting of pairs of short pivotally connectedend bars and pivotally connected pairs of longer intermediate bars, thebars in each pair of intermediate bars being pivotally connected to theend bars and to each other at points spaced from their points of pivotalconnection with the end bars a distance substantially equal to thelength of the end bars, and the other of said lazytongs consisting ofpivotally connected pairs of bars of the same length as saidintermediate bars and pivotally connected to said intermediate bars atpoints intermediate the points of pivotal connection of the intermediatebars with each other and with the end bars.

3. A support of the character described com prising a pair of lazytongs;one of said lazytongs consisting of pairs of short end bars the bars ineach pair being pivotally connected to each other at one end thereof andpivotally connected pairs of longer bars, the bars in each pair oflonger bars being pivotally connected to the short bars at one endthereof and being crossed and pivoted to each other at points spacedfrom their points of pivotal connection with the short bars a distancesubstantially equal to the length of said short bars, and the other ofsaid lazytongs consisting of pivotally connected pairs of bars of thesame length as said longer bars, each of the bars in said secondlazytongs being pivotally connected to the longer bars in said firstlazytongs.

GEORGE ARMAND GAFFORD.

